Singapore calls for UN AI safety framework

Caption language: en · Fetched: 2026-09-28

Singapore is making an urgent call for common international rules and safeguards on artificial intelligence, including a proposal of a United Nations framework convention on AI safety. At the UN General Assembly in New York, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also defended multilateralism in a more fragmented world marked by wars, great power competition, and climate change. And Divya Saiti has more. >> The genie is already out of the bottle. >> That's how Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan described the capabilities and risks of artificial intelligence. Even as it's too late to call for a halt, he says the world needs to lay the ground for cooperation now.

That means creating rules and safeguards addressing AI risks ranging from autonomous systems going out of control to rogue actors using AI to develop bio-weapons. >> The United Nations has a critical role to play in building convergence because this is the only apex international institution with universal membership. We must explore all options, including the idea of a UN framework convention on AI safeguards. >> In Singapore's national statement at the UN General Assembly in New York, Dr. Balakrishnan also highlighted how multilateralism remained particularly important in the face of ongoing wars, worsening climate change, and supply chain disruptions, reiterating Singapore's call for countries to uphold international law. >> The Strait of Hormuz is closed. We have to collectively reject this.

Transit passage through straits used for international navigation is a right for all of us. It's not a privilege subject to fees and tolls. And [clears throat] this is customary international law, which means it is binding on all states whether or not they consider themselves parties to UNCLOS. >> On reforms of multilateral institutions, including the global trading system, he says countries should be able to work in flexible coalitions while keeping the door open to others. Speaking to local media after delivering Singapore's statement, Dr. Balakrishnan says he's glad the Chinese and US presidents met in Washington and describes the current situation as a truce.

>> In the longer term, the reason why they have to keep meeting at the presidential level and at the senior officials level is slowly, bit by bit, they have to build strategic trust. And with that trust, then we hope that they can get to grips with the core thorny issues that lie between you know, that that lie at the crux of their relationship. >> And in the midst of superpower rivalry, Singapore takes over the ASEAN chairmanship next year and will focus on integrating the block and broadening partnerships. Dr. Balakrishnan says ASEAN still has convening power to shape Southeast Asia's future.